Essex Boy: My Story (23 page)

Mum, obviously my first and biggest thank you goes to you.
Thanks for always believing in me no matter what, and supporting me through absolutely everything in life.
You taught
me that life is not all about money, but about making a difference.
Love you.

Dad, thank you for rescuing me when you did, and teaching me to be tough, or I’d never have survived through my childhood.
You have become one of my best mates, and I hope
it stays that way.

Daniel, thanks for beating the shit out of me over the years, and being exactly how an older brother should be!

Dappy, thank you for teaching me to be humble, and for being a great friend, always there when I need a chat.

Danny, you are my right-hand man and the best raver I know.
A party is not a party without you there!

Scott, thank you for being a friend as well as a cousin – and for keeping me on a strict diet and in shape!

My manager Adam, thank you for putting the time and effort into me, and being on hand with advice and a trip to Essex to see me whenever I have needed it.

Emma Donnan, thank you for your help putting my story into words – it has been an emotional ride and you were the perfect person to go through that with.

Ingrid Connell and all at Pan Macmillan, thank you for giving me the chance to tell my story, and for being great to work with.
And Andrew Lownie, thank you for helping set up
the deal in the first place.

AM Concepts UK, thank you, including Ian Minton, for all your hard work.

Thanks to Dave Almond and Ian Stoddart from Peace Of Mind for looking after me when I am on the road.

My Lime Pictures family past and present – Amanda Murphy, Kate Little, Sean Murphy, Ruth Wrigley and Tony Wood – thank you.

Thanks to
TOWIE
for giving me the wings so I could go out and fly.
Hopefully this is just the beginning.

To all my fans, especially on twitter (@kirk_official) thank you for the support and the banter, let’s keep it going and thank you for buying my book!

1.
Mum and Dad, looking happy together.

2.
Getting a cuddle from Dad.

3.
That’s me in the back garden of our house in Jesmond Road, about to get into Oscar’s kennel!

4.
With my big brother Daniel on the way to a fancy dress party.
Guess who I’m meant to be?
Bart Simpson, obviously!

5.
In the pool with Dad’s mum, Nanny Pernod.

6.
I was proud of my school uniform, as you can see from this photo taken on my first day at school.

7.
With our lurcher, Oscar, and Daniel.

8.
In the kitchen with Nan and Granddad, Mum’s parents.